Press Releases

News - Archive

Released: 7/30/2009 

DRPA Begins Initial Work on Ben Franklin Bridge West Side Traffic Mitigation

The Delaware River Port Authority is taking initial steps in its Ben Franklin Bridge West Side Traffic Mitigation Project to improve travel times across the Ben Franklin Bridge into Philadelphia’s downtown area and Vine Street. 

Work is scheduled for August 3 and 4 to restripe the portion of the roadway where westbound traffic connects with Fifth Street and I-95 as well as on the bridge itself. As a result there will be temporary closures of the 5th Street and I-95 ramps starting from about 8:30 pm until 5 am each night. The work will also require the closure of some westbound lanes on the bridge. 

DRPA CEO, John J. Matheussen, says “by restriping the lanes and adding in-pavement legends which correspond to the overhead directional signs, drivers heading west off the Ben Franklin Bridge will be directed more clearly to their destination.” 

DRPA Chief Engineer, Bill Brooks, says “in addition to the restriping, the DRPA and the City of Philadelphia are working together to adjust the timing of the traffic signals along Vine Street to allow for a smoother traffic flow.” 

The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation agency. DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross Bridges, PATCO and the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal. The DRPA also owns the RiverLink Ferry.

[ Return to List ]